Splendid Panoply of Knighthood
Rules
Summer Magnitude 14
Performing the Ritual
Performing this ritual takes at least 2 minutes of roleplaying. This ritual targets up to five characters. Each character must be present throughout.
This ritual is an enchantment. A target may only be under one enchantment effect at a time.
Effects
This ritual targets up to five characters from the same banner. Each target gains one additional rank of endurance, and experiences the roleplaying effects of a feeling of personal prowess and self confidence.
The effect lasts until the start of the next Profound Decisions Empire event.
Additional Targets
This ritual can affect additional characters from the same banner. Every additional character increases the magnitude by 2. Additional characters must be present throughout.
Options
Any caster who has mastered the ritual may choose to substitute Orichalcum for crystal mana when contributing to it. Every 2 ingots of Orichalcum spent counts as 1 crystal mana when contributing to the ritual.
Description
This enchantment is one of the best-known Summer rituals and is used to bolster bands of warriors across the Empire. When dealing with small groups, Strength of the Bull is a little more efficient, but Splendid Panoply of Knighthood is more effective at enchanting a band of soldiers. Indeed, the more soldiers that are part of a single enchantment, the more efficient it becomes. The rituals are otherwise quite similar, although the fact that the Splendid Panoply is invariably used on a band rather than an individual means that its performances are usually a much larger-scale affair. It is often performed shortly before battle, often a within an hour or so of dawn.
The ability to use orichalcum to provide power to the ritual - something which is not possible with Strength of the Bull - also makes it appealing to magicians whose access to crystal mana is more restricted than their access to raw orichalcum.
Common Elements
As with many enchantment rituals, common elements include the consumption of wholesome food and drink (especially mead or beer) and the use of tokens and gifts such as favours. Oaths, toasts and rousing speeches are also common, as are choruses of songs favoured by soldiers. The ritual often focuses on rousing the fighting spirit of the targets, and the invocation of Paragons and Exemplars of Courage and Loyalty are especially common.
Any of the Summer runes might be evoked, depending entirely on the nature of the warriors and the ritualists. Runes are often painted onto the skin especially the face and arms. Navarr vates and Wintermark runesmiths alike will trace the scars, brands and tattoos of their targets as they perform the ritual, connecting the strength gained today with oaths or wounds from the past. An evocation of The Stallion or The Oak may be appropriate with this ritual, as are evocations of horses, bulls, narwhal, unicorns and dragons.
The Captain's Mask is a ritual focus that helps empower the performance of this ritual.